History of Ben Davis, the iconic work clothing label
known for its gorilla logo and its slogan
Plenty Tough. The brand started right here in San Francisco,
representing the blue collar traditions of the city.
All types of working folks have been rocking Ben Davis for decades.
The real Ben Davis’s grandfather,
Jacob Davis, was a Latvian immigrant
who was actually a co creator of Levi Strauss’s patented blue Jean.
Bendavis carried on this tradition and started his own company in 1935
along with his father Simon.
Since then, the brand has been a staple of urban culture,
becoming synonymous with low riders,
West Coast rap, and even Japanese streetwear.
Artists like Eazy E, Doctor Dre,
Snoop Dogg,
and Ice Cube have all shouted out the company and worn their clothes.
But here in San Francisco,
a city now associated with white collar tech,
Ben Davis is an important reminder of the diverse
working class roots that many of us grew up with in the city.